Composition of matter and process for producing the same



Patented June 26, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTINE SIMANEK CUSSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

No Drawing.

My invention relates to a composition of matter and the process for producing the same, said composition of matter being an alloypreferably resulting from the combination of the following ingredients: I

Zinc 160 parts 0 Bronze (copper 16 parts, tinl part) 48 parts and the reaction therewith of Wood charcoal 4 parts White arsenic (arsenic oxide) 1 part I find that a numberof these ingredients may be varied inquantity and stillobtain a substance adapted to perform substantially the same functions. From the above proportions I may vary the amount of copper from 480 parts to 704' parts. From the amount of nickel given I may vary the quantity from 144- parts to 288 parts. From the quantity of zinc given I may vary this amount from160 parts to 224 parts. From the amount of bronze "given above -I may vary this from 48 parts to 96 parts. .1 prefer to use bronze made up of. 16 parts copper to 1 part tin, but this proportion of copper g and tin may be varied througha considerable scope without materially altering the qualities of the resultant material. I prefer to use approximately the quantities of charcoal and arsenic given above in whatever variations of the quantities of the metals which. are used. Stating the above quantities in percentages it is apparent that the copper in the alloy may vary from 60.3%

to 62.72%; the nickel may vary from 17 2%,

to 21.88%;the zinc may vary from 17% to'19.12%; the tin may vary from 56% to .4570; while the charcoal used in production of'the alloy may .vary from .3% to 48%, and the white arsenic may vary from .07 to 12%.

In making up the alloy of my invention, I v preferably usea crucibleor retort of a size and quality to withstand the required heat .and hold the required quantity of metal. I preferably introduce the c'harcoalin a layer at the bottom ofthe crucible and then'place on the charcoal a'layer of nickel in the form generally known asshotl ni'ckel. 'On the nickel, I place a layer of bronze, which is preferably soft sheet bronze and "may be scrap or sheet bronze cuttings. On the ,bronzfl place a layer of copper in the formof ingot copper. The crucible is then plac'ed .Application filed April 21,

1924. Serial No. 708,051.

melt the metals, and after the metals have been melted they are'stirred by any convenient means and the temperature thereof raised to a degree between 1500 and 1800 centigrade. Instead of charcoal in a layer at the bottom of the crucible, it may be added to the molten mass of metals while the'same is being stirred but it is preferred to introduce the charcoal in a layer at the bottom of the crucible be cause of the protection it afi'ords for the crucible, making it possible to use the latter for a larger number of heats.

After the desired degree'of lieat'has been reached, zinc, in the form of block zinc, is stirred into the molten mass before the temperature of the same falls below the melting temperature of zinc; that is to say, while the molten mass is still at a high temperature, the zinc is placed in the molten metaland the latter stirred during the process of adding the zinc. After the zinc has been added, the crucible is removed from the furnace and before the molten mass solidifies, arsenic, in the form of commercial white arsenic or arsenic oxide, is stirred into the. fmolten'mass to secure an intimate union for binding of the metals forming the alloy. "VVhen carbon is added to the molten mass, it

and'finall'y the White arsenic is stirred into introducing the "in a suitable furnace and heat applied to the molten mass. If desired, the zinc may be previously melted and the white arsenic mixed. therewith and then the mixture of the molten zinc and white arsenic stirred into the bath of the crucible.

The resultant mixture is then cast into ingots or any other desired form and is then ready to be recast into various desired articles; .The resultant metalv .alloy which is thus produced contains copper, tin, nickei and zinc but substantially no charcoal nor arsenic since the carbon and the arsenic are for the purpose of acting as a flux to remove impurities from the metals, copper, tin, nickel and zinc, and thereby permit the desired union or bindin of the-metals while theyare in the molten state. This flux, by removing the impurities from the metals specified, forms a slag which rises to the top of the melt Where it may be conveniently removed. If more charcoal and arsenic are used than necessary to remove impurities tains its pbllSl1'; OI lustre after it is once--.

givensuch finishes,1and a metal which will resist corrosion. ,L-This'alloy or metal is very desirable for builders'; hardware, golf irons, surgical ,instrumentsand all other tools or instruments-where a reasonable amount of strengthislrequired, and which are subject to' being easily and quickly corroded. It is'also very suitable for use in forming bearmgsor where friction alleviating means is desii'able. It is also an excellent alloy for valves, valve seats, etc. Whicharesubject to agenc es HWlIICl'I .tend to promote corrosion. This metal r'etalns a finish given 1t,-'a1id has the advantage over plated. goods in that there is. no plate to wear oil or to become I loosened from the article, sinceit. is of the same composition throughout. This alloy or metal is stronger and-tougher than brass,

- and is, therefore, adapted for a greater range:

of uses than is brass or copper.

. While I have illustrated and scope of theappendedclaims. I

-I'c1aim:'

bronze and copper, toajtemperature con siderably higher than" the melting. temperature-oifanyfof said metals; agitating the mixture 1' during sa d n ing the: application of heat; and'adding White arsenic to the mixture whilezthe latteris still in the molten state,agitating' thc mi'irture while adding the white arsenic.-

'2. The process of formingjan alloy con-- tsistingjoi heating together charcoal, nickel, bronze andicopperto a temperature considerably-gh her than the melting point of anyJof stridfmetals; stirring the mixture after said metals have been melted; stirring thevzinc into the mixture-after said high I temperature'has-been reached and before the application of heat is discontinued from the I mixture; and stirring white arsenic into the mixture. after the application of heat has been discontinued and while the mixture is still in a molten state.v v 3."li he process of forncung an alloy con described the preferred amounts ofingredients making up the alloy'o'f my invention, and the preferred- ,methodo'f making such alloy or metal, I- do not desire to be limited to thefexa'ct details 'set forth, but desire to avail myself of such. variations and changes as fall Within the 1..The process of forming an alloyi'con slsting of heating together charcoal, nickel,

, I adding 5 zinc to the mixturejavhile the latter is1.being agi tated and heat appliedithereto -,discontinusisting of heating together charcoal, nickel, bronze and copper to a temperaturecom siderably higher thanthe melting temperature of any of, said metals; stirring the mixture after said metals have been-melted; stirring zinc into the mixture after the latter has been brought to a high temperature, and stirring white arsenic into the mixture before the latter has reached'a solid state.

sisting of placing together in acontainer layers of carbon, nickel, bronze and copper in the order named; heating the ingredients to approximately1800 centigrade,.more or less; stirring the ingredients after-the metals have been melted; stirring zinc into the molten mixture after said metals have. been brought to said high temperature; and dis continuingthe application of heat to the mixture then stirringwhite arsenic into the mixture before'the latter has been cooled to a solid state.

4.'The process of'formmg an alloy conso I "5. The process oftyfor'ming an alloy of nickel copper," tin and-zinc, which consists in heating together charcoal, a compound of arsenic, nickel, bronze, and copper to a temperature sufiicient to melt said metals,

stirringthe mixture while in the molten state and 'then adding'zinc.

' 6. The process of forming an alloy of nickel, copper, tin and zinc, which COIlSlSlDS in mixingsaid metals-with carbon while said metals are in the molten state" and also stirring white arsenic into, the mixturewhlle 0 said metals are still in' the. molten state. i

7. The process of formingan alloy ofnnickel, copper, tin and zinc which consists ".in first mixing nickel, bronze and copper v with carbon while-said nickel, bronze and "copper are in a molten state,- then stirring zinc into the mixturepand afterward stirring white arsenic into themixture comprising latter are stillin the molten state. 8, The process of forming an alloy of nickel, copper, tin and zinc, which consists nickel,' -copper, tin and zinc, and while the in -placing. in. a container layers of carbon,

nickel,- bronze, andcopper; heating thev container ingredients to effectthe melting of said nickel, bronze and copper, stirring zin into the molten mixture, and then stirring wh tearsenic into the mlxture comprising nickel, tin, copper and, zinc.

I 9. The process ofiorming an alloy of nickel, copper, tin and zinc, which consists in heating nickel, bronze and copper with carbonv to a temperature higher than the melting point of either nickel, bronze or copper; stirring the mixture after the said nickel, bronze and copper have been melted;

'stirringzinc into the mixture of nickel, tin

and copper; and stirring white arsenic into the mixture comprising nickel, tin, copper and zinc. I I

10. The process of "forming an alloy oi iac nickel, copper, tin and zinc, which consists in heating nickel, bronze and copper in close proximity' to carbon-until the said nickel, bronze and copper are melted, then stirring the ingredients While continuing the heating and adding zinc to the molten. mixture during such stirring; and then discontinuing the application of heat to the mixture and stirring white arsenic into the mixture before it reaches a solidstate.

11. The process of forming an alloy noncorrodible under ordinary natural atmospherie conditions, consisting of heating togcther nickel, bronze and copper to a temperature higher than the melting point of corrodible under ordinary natural atmosphericconditions, consisting of heating together nickel, tin and copper to a temperature higher than the melting point of any one of the said metals, adding carbon to the molten mass while the same is being stirred,

stirring zinc into said molten mass before the temperature of the same falls below the melting temperature of zinc and stirring an arsenic compound into the same.

- 13. .The process of forming an alloy noncorrodible under ordinary natural atmospheric conditions, consisting of heatlng together nickel, tin-and copper to a temperature higher than the melting point of said metals, adding carbon to the molten mass wlnle the same is being stirred, and stirring a mixture of molten zinc and white arsenic into said molten mass.

In testimony whereof I-have signed my name to this specification on this 18th day of April, A. D. 1924.

CHRISTINE SIMANEK GUSSEN. 

